An Update to Our Update...
On Thursday, July 4th, heavy rainfall inundated a large swampy area located west of Wanderoos, south of 75th Avenue and north of the “Harvey Stower Seven Lakes Trail.” This area had been previously held back by a beaver dam(s), and in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 6th, the dam(s) ruptured. This released the impounded water and, according to a local resident, this caused Old Cranberry Lake to drop approximately 3 feet. The resident reported the sounds of roaring water and snapping trees waking them in those early hours.
Taking the course of least resistance, a large volume of water flowed to the west where it entered Creek 36-14 also called Big Lake’s “North Creek”, up-stream from where the creek crosses the “Harvey Stower Seven Lakes Trail”. The water then overflowed the private road where “North Creek” flows through a culvert shortly before entering Big Lake.
Click Images above for larger versions
The huge volume of water caused water levels in Big Lake to rise rapidly and backflow into Round and Church Pine lakes causing their levels to rise also. Within a day or two of the release of water, the swamp emptied and North Creek’s flow returned to normal but water levels on the three lakes remained high due to the slow drainage of the dam located on the northwest side of Big Lake.
Video, by a local resident taken on 07-07-19, a day after the breaking of the beaver dam(s). Click image for higher quality video.
Taken Thursday, 07-11-19. Water dropped significantly and flow reduced. No evidence (yet) of beavers moving back in. Click image for a link to higher quality video
This water enters Horse Creek which then flow into Cedar Lake. Additional rainfall also added to high water retention in our lakes. Lake levels should reside with a week or two as the water drains over the dam.
Additional Images from The Stower Seven Lakes Trail and the man-made dam on Big lake
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